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Crunch Add Some Hurt to Lineup; Sign Neilson and Nightingale

Syracuse, NY â€“ The Syracuse Crunch have signed right wing Eric Neilson and defenseman Jared Nightingale each to a one-year AHL contract today, Crunch General Manager Julien BriseBois announced.

Neilson, 27, played in 47 games with the Calder Cup Champion Norfolk Admirals, recording one goal and 74 penalty minutes. The Fredericton, NB, native has appeared in 186 AHL games with Peoria, Hamilton, San Antonio and Norfolk, totaling 12 points (6g, 6a) and 560 penalty minutes. Neilson was drafted by the Los Angeles Kings in the fifth round, 143rd overall, of the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. Neilson is a three-time IOA/American Specialty AHL Man of the year award winner, (Peoria 2008-09, Hamilton 2009-10 and San Antonio 2010-11).

Nightingale, 29, most recently played for the Connecticut Whale collecting 10 points (1g, 9a) and 110 penalty minutes in 67 regular season games during the 2011-12 season. The blueliner has appeared in 264 AHL contests with Connecticut, Hartford, Chicago, Iowa and Springfield and totaled 38 points (11g, 28a) and 619 penalty minutes. A native of Jackson, MI, Nightingale also played four years for Michigan State University where he totaled 23 points (2g, 21a) in 156 career NCAA games.

The Crunch will play their home opener on October 13 at the War Memorial Arena. Tickets for the Crunch's 2012-13 campaign are on sale now and can be purchased either in person at the Crunch Box Office located at the War Memorial on 800 South State Street in Syracuse, or by calling the office at (315) 473- 4444. For all the latest Crunch information and updates, fans can visit the team's official website at (www.syracusecrunch.com) or follow the club on Facebook at (www.facebook.com/syracusecrunch) and on Twitter (@SyracuseCrunch).